Annual Dragonfly Days to be Held May 14-16

WESLACO — Explore the amazing world of dragonflies and damselflies at the annual Dragonfly Days, being held May 14-16 at the Valley Nature Center and Estero Llano Grande State Park. Attendees can look forward to live music, arts and crafts and learning more about these fascinating winged creatures.

The Rio Grande Valley is known as one of the most biologically diverse areas in North America. More birds and butterflies are found here than in most parts of the country, as well as many different species of odonates, dragonflies and damselflies. Many of these species are found nowhere else in the United States, and Dragonfly Days will offer a chance to discover some of these rare insects.

This year’s festival will have a special focus on families. Visitors will be able to go on a night hike trail and explore the various life in and around the water. Interpretive stations will allow you to get up close and personal with dragonflies and damselflies, including aquatic life touch tanks with aquatic insects and viewers to look under the water.

Attend a mini-talk in a classroom about odes, water quality and the wetlands, or go on a guided walk where festival leaders will be pointing out various odes. Go on a dragonfly van trip to Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge led by wildlife scientist Tom Langschied and Estero Llano Grande State Park Ranger John Yochum.

The weekend festival also includes a fish tank where you can learn to catch and release fish, kayaking in a pool, arts and crafts and live music performances by Lucas Miller.

Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under on Friday and $5 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under on Saturday and Sunday. A weekend pass costs $8 for adults and $4 for children. For more information visit the Valley Nature Center Web site or call (956) 969-2475 or (956) 565-3919.